21 - 27 May 2016
These are links to news stories from the last week that may be of interest to people in the UK. The link beneath each item will take you to the original story.
Please note that the MS Trust did not write the original items and does not endorse their content nor any claims made in them.
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Vitamin D in Orkney
More coverage of the recent study which looks more at the differences in vitamin D by age group on Orkney and considers why MS risk in Shetland is lower
Source: The Conversation
MS Trust link: Vitamin D
The effect of MS on employment
An international survey published on World MS Day found that of people with MS not in employment, 43% had left work within three years of diagnosis and 70% within ten years. Fatigue and lack of support at work were key factors
Source: MSIF
MS Trust link: At work with MS
Invisible symptoms of MS
An woman with MS looks at the effects of MS on herself and two other women, particularly the invisible symptoms such as visual problems and altered sensations. Also looks at why people may be reluctant to tell others about their diagnosis
Source: Daily Life
MS Trust link: Vision
MS Trust link: Altered sensations
Fasting-mimicking diet
A study in mice found that having a very-low-calorie and low-protein diet for three days in seven reduced levels of immune cells associated with inflammation and that, once normal diet resumed, promoted 'good' immune cells and cells that cause myelin to regrow. A small trial in humans found people reported better quality of life and health improvements, though this part of the study didn't include MRI or immune system tests.
Source: Eureka Alert
MS Trust link: Diet
A bicycle with MS
To mark World MS Day, the Australian team that built a bike to illustrate the effects of MS have released an owner's manual. The team describe the bike as "A terrible thing to ride... Its gears are unpredictable, its frame off-balanced, and its brakes numb to press. This bike has multiple sclerosis.”
Source: MS News Today
MS Trust link: Introduction to MS
